Obituaries

Eva Phillips Sauls (Mrs. Earl Wade Sauls Sr.) 93 of Albany died June 16, 2012 with her family by her side at the St. Mary’s Hospice House in Athens, Ga.

Her funeral service was held Wednesday, June 20 at First Baptist Church Albany, GA. Interment followed at Crown Hill Cemetery. Pastor Dr. William (Butch) Knight officiated.

Mrs. Sauls was a native of Cuthbert, Ga., and moved to Albany with her family in 1956. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl Wade Sauls Sr. of Albany, and granddaughter Kristen Sauls Oliver of Hartwell, Ga. Born July 24, 1918, at her home in Randolph County, Ga., Mrs. Sauls, known as “Gran” to her loved ones, was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love will continue to effect generations to come. Her favorite pastimes were spent fishing, gardening, and enjoying life with her family and friends.

Mrs. Sauls attended Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. After graduating, she furthered her education in Macon, Ga. at business school. Mrs. Sauls worked as a bookkeeper at Fort Benning, the REA/EMC and retired from the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany in 1981. Mrs. Sauls was a member of First Baptist Church, Albany.

Otis Allen McClure Jr. 90, of Leesburg, GA, died Friday June 22, 2012 at Lee Health Care and Rehabilitation. Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery with military honors. Rev. Jay Barcus will officiate.

A native of Ft. Worth, TX., Mr. McClure had resided in Leesburg, GA. for the past five years moving from Albany, GA. He served in the Air Force as a pilot and was a veteran of WW II. He was retired from ARCO Pipeline, formerly Sinclair Oil and now BP, a member of Mansfield Lodge # 331 F & AM and was of the Episcopal faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Allen McClure, Sr. and Ruby Jo Doyle McClure, two brothers, Jack D. McClure and Benjamin McClure.

Betty Jean Shaw Jamison, born July 26, 1936 in Shellman, Georgia to Ernest and Carrie Shaw, entered Heaven’s gates June 20, 2012. Preceded in death by her brother, Rev. Bradley Shaw, and her sister, Willene Lay, she is survived by her daughters, Jan A. Vroegindewey (Larry) of Jacksonville, Florida and Maria Shaw of Shellman, in addition to four grandchildren, Leah, Caleb, and Jonah Vroegindewey of Jacksonville and Abigail (Thomas) Smith of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Also she is survived by her nephews; Joe Lay of Arizona, and Phil Shaw of Cuthbert, and niece, Cindy Campbell (Thomas) of Albany.

Born onto a farm, she ventured far. After graduating from Shellman High School, she attended Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida briefly. She also enjoyed playing the accordion on a weekly radio show. An antique dealer, Mrs. Jamison loved to travel, garden, and spend time with her family. She was known to be a prayer warrior and attended Word of Life Family Church in Eufaula. She helped the T.L. Osborne Ministry in Duesseldorf, Germany for four years. She also lived in Illinois, Texas, and Florida prior to returning to Shellman to help care for her parents.

Visitation will be at 1:00 pm Sunday at Mathews Funeral Home on Gillionville Road in Albany with service beginning at 2:00pm in the chapel. Graveside will be immediately following at the Eastview Cemetery in Shellman, Georgia.

Born Oct 1, 1920 in Leslie, GA, spent formative years in Smithville, GA and moved to Albany in 1937. She graduated from Albany High School in 1938 and graduated from Freeman Business School. Mrs. King worked with Albany Savings Bank for 4 years and retired from Dougherty County Superior Court. She traveled for Sunshine Tours as escorts along with husband for 81/2 years.

Mrs. King was a charter member of Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church and has been the Sunday School Teacher for the Fellowship Class. She was a Bible Study leader for Methodist Women for many years. Mrs. King was President of Women Society and has worked (volunteered) for the gift shop at Phoebe ever since it opened. She was a member of XYZ and did meals on wheels for many years.

Hilda C. Houston, 79, of Albany died Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Lee County Health and Rehabilitation. Funeral services were held Monday at Mathews Funeral Home. Dr. Don Adams will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

A native of Early County, GA, Mrs. Houston had resided in Albany since 1949 moving from Edison. She was a graduate of Edison High School and was a Freewill Baptist. She was employed for many years as the desk manager for Merry Acres Quality Inn.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmy R. Houston of Albany, GA, a son, Mike Moree of Albany, GA and a daughter, Michelle Slappey and her husband, Bubba of Leesburg, GA, two step children, Randy Carver and his wife Anita of Albany, GA and Sandra Powers and her husband, John of Asheville, NC, two brothers, Elva and his wife, Hazel Cleveland of Albany, GA and Richard Cleveland and his wife Maja of Hoschton, GA, six grandchildren, Rachael Slappey, Jason Carver and his wife, Evie of Albany, GA, Seth Carver of Tifton, GA, Bethany Carver of Albany, GA, Lauren Powers and Katie Powers both of Asheville, NC. She was also survived by her loving Yorkie, Kipper.

Carolyn V. Greene, 53 of Albany died Tuesday June 12, 2012 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. A memorial service was held Saturday June 23, 2012 11:00AM at St. Maryland Missionary Baptist Church.

Carolyn was born December 3, 1958 in Calhoun County, Georgia. She was the youngest daughter of Willie Ed and Ruby Mae Greene.

She attended public school in Albany, GA and she graduated from Westover High School in 1975. She attended Albany Technical College formally known as Albany Vocational Technical School and earned a certificate in Secretarial Science. She attended Darton College formally known as Albany, Jr. College as well as Riley Training Institute and obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate. Her last place of employment was a manager with Burger King Holdings Incorporated.

As a child, Carolyn was known for her smile, wonderful spirit and mischievous ways. Carolyn had a sense and an appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. Anyone who had an opportunity to meet Carolyn knows that she lived a special quality of life, touching the hearts of many. Carolyn was intelligent, remarkable and inspirational as a child and throughout her adult years.

Gail Louise Cameron, 50, of Albany, GA., died June 22, 2012 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held on Tuesday June 26 at Morningside United Methodist Church. Rev. Bobby Moye officiated. Interment followed in Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery.

A native of Barstow, CA, Gail has resided in Albany since 1964. She attended Sylvester Elementary School, Dougherty Junior High School and Dougherty County High School. She did missionary work within the United States as well as in Ireland and did work as a lay speaker for United Methodist Churches. She became the lay pastor for Morningside United Methodist Church.

Her children described her as giving, kind, loving, grateful, giving and selfless. Gail was involved with the Junior Women’s Club of Albany, Walk to Emmaus, Girl Scout Troop leader 2010-2012 for Troop 40342, a member of the Artist Guild and was involved with the Theater of Albany. Becoming a pastor of a church was always a lifelong dream for Gail. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Albany.

Survivors include her two daughters, Brittney Cameron and Madison Cameron both of Albany, her parents, George L’Esperance, Klamath Falls, OR and Norma Loretta L’Esperance, Albany, a brother, Ray Allen L’Esperance, Milwaukie, OR, a sister, Donna L’Esperance, Albany, a nephew, Carson L’Esperance and a niece, Jill Sessler both of Milwaukie, OR

Peggy Ann Hall Benford, 81, of Albany, died Saturday, June 23, 2012 at her home.

Her memorial service will be Thursday 11:30 AM at Avalon United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dennis Lanning will officiate. Mrs. Benford’s remains were cremated and a private burial service will be held at Riverside Cemetery.

Mrs. Benford was born in Dothan, AL, and she had lived in Albany since the mid 1940’s. She was a graduate of Albany High School in the Class of 1947. She was a very active member of Avalon United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Ladies Bible Class, the United Methodist Women, and a volunteer with Love Thy Neighbor.